Billetproof Car Show - Back To Billetproof

When Street Rodder attended Billetproof, in 2002, it was such a good time that we've always wanted to go back. The show's changed since then-and even more since 1997, when the first Billetproof hosted a handful of cars in a bowling alley parking lot. Now, Billetproof is a big show (registration cuts off at 1,000 cars), held at the fairgrounds in Antioch, California, but has managed to keep the atmosphere and energy of a parking lot meet.

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The reason is probably the rules. Billetproof is open to '64-and-earlier rods, customs, bikes, and trucks, with a few strict limits. Sniff if you want at the "no this" and "no that" restrictions, but keeping the emphasis on traditional style and traditional workmanship (pronounced "homebuilt") is what has let this thing get big and stay unique.

Club involvement is another reason for the success of this show. Promoters Alan and Melissa Galbraith recruit local car clubs to provide custom-built trophies and pick the winners. This year's host club, the Dragoons from Antioch, did a good job getting everybody in and keeping them happy.

3/25Only one car can be the Best of Show, and this year it's Steve Lininger's '51 Ford convertible, selected by the Dragoons Car Club.

This was the first year the show-previously a one-day deal-stretched across the whole weekend. In addition to the cars, there were live bands, a pinstripers panel jam, a swap meet, a model car contest, a beauty contest, dozens of indoor and outdoor vendors, and even an on-site barber cutting hair like they used to.

Northern California is known for traditional customs and the turn-out in Antioch reflected that. STREET RODDER has also changed since we were at Billetproof in 2002, and customs have worked their way into these pages-so we get to highlight some of our favorite postwar cars from the weekend along with earlier iron.

4/25There's some legendary work on the car, including the Joe Bailon handmade grille and scoops, the Bill Hines folding top mechanism for the chopped cloth top, and the Eddie Martinez interior.

Billetproof will be back in Antioch in September, plus there are other Billetproof shows all over the United States throughout the year. You can find out about 2010 events at www.billetproof.com.